On behalf of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) we are deeply saddened by today’s horrifying event this morning at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

We want to assure all parents and members of our school community that the LAUSD’s number one priority is the safety of our students and staff. Every campus within the LAUSD has a school safety plan in place. These plans include responding to incidents where students and staff may be in danger of injury.

On a daily basis, the Los Angeles School Police department deploys over 200 police officers throughout the District on campus and safe passages patrol. In addition, we collaborate with public safety and mental health agencies to ensure planning, preparation, response and mitigation to all incidents that may affect student safety.
Although there was no information of any credible threats to the LAUSD students and staff, the LA School Police, the Los Angeles Police Department and other law enforcement agency partners provided extra patrol and high visibility presence around our schools today to reduce any fears or anxiety related to today’s incident.

Every school in the LAUSD has a crisis team to assist students and staff in dealing with the aftermath of critical incidents. If you feel your child might be in need of additional support please notify your school’s administrator and referrals can be made to the school’s support services staff or the appropriate School Mental Health Clinic.

Our thoughts go out to the families of all those involved. Please have a safe holiday break.